The prohibition of Tamtheel is proven by the text (of the Quran and the Sunnah) and also by the intellect.
Allah says,
"There is nothing like unto Him." [Soorah ash-Shura (42): 11]
"So put not forward similitude for Allah." [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 74]
"Do you know of any who is similar to Him?" [Soorah Maryam (19): 65]
There are many texts in the Quran and the Sunnah concerning the prohibition of resemblance.
Rational Proof
(for the Prohibition of Resembling Allah to His creation)
It can never ever be rational that the Creator resembles the creation whilst there is a huge difference between the two:
- The Creator is the One who brings (the creation) into existence (from nothingness).
- The creation is that which is brought into existence.
- The Existence of the Creator is Eternal and Everlasting.
- The creation is not always present and can be destroyed, rather it will perish. “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever." [Soorah ar- Rahman (55): 26-27]
Some of the Salaf (pious predecessors) said that if you read the verse, “Whatsoever is on it (i.e., the earth) will perish.” do not stop at this point; continue to read what is mentioned after it, "the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever."
(One should continue reading) in order to establish the clear distinction between the Creator and the creation, and to know the Perfection of Allah and deficiency of others bedsides Him. If someone argues that Allah has affirmed a Face for Himself in the verse, "the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever." [Soorah ar-Rahman (55): 27]
(But) I do not understand the Face except like the face of the creation and therefore affirming the Face of Allah necessitates resembling Allah with the creation. (Such is) because the Quran is in Arabic and (the meaning of face) is what is well-known amongst the people, and the most perfect face is the human face. So, the Face of Allah is like the human face.
So, how do we reply?
Reply: This is an incorrect understanding because the Face is attributed to Allah and that which is attributed befits the One, it is attributed to. So, the Face of Allah befits Him, and the human face befits the human.
(For instance), you have a face and the lion has a face, and the cat has a face. So, if we say, the face of a man, the face of a lion and the face of a cat - does this necessitate resemblance?
No one ever says that his face resembles the face of a cat or a lion. So we know from this instance that the face befits the one it is attributed to.
It is thus proven by textual and rational proofs that affirming the Attributes of Allah does not necessitate any resemblance between the Creator and the creation.
